Some cold weather observations

Church Marsh itself is pretty barren right now, although areas of water or mud are proving a real draw for the residents of Surlingham. Yesterday, Debs and I braved the cold and were treated to excellent views of Fieldfare, Common Snipe and Robins, the latter very tame and clearly desperate for food. Bird of the walk was a Woodcock, flushed from a dyke which also held a small group of Teal. Arriving back at the car, a Great-spotted Woodpecker was drumming, unperturbed by the snow.

This morning, I made an early start in the hope of catching up with some of the smaller birds I had missed yesterday. I was lucky, for amongst the Alders were Lesser Redpoll, Siskin and best of all 2 Brambling! I have not recorded this species at Surlingham for some time and although views were of the back-breaking variety this is always a super finch to see.

With the hungry Robins in mind, I had taken some bread with me today which was enjoyed by all, including me. Elsewhere, a Snipe was flushed from the ditch near the gun club, and I have my suspicions that this could have been a Jack. Back at the churchyard, 2 Great-spotted Woodpeckers were drumming and a third was chased away. This all bought back fond memories of Estonia.

On the way to Rockland Broad, 17 Skylark had flocked together in a field.

The Broad itself was mostly without ice, although a small group of Common and Black-headed Gull were loafing on one small shelf of ice. A Wader species was a surprise, and was probably a Ruff although flight views only proved inconclusive. Very little Duck action.

A plethora of snowy pictures to choose from, so here are a selection.

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Grey Phalarope- a new patch bird

The 7th of April was another bitterly cold Spring day, hats and gloves in prime position on pegs and in bags ready to be deployed. A few brave Garganey have been reported north of the river, but it was a bird from the north itself that had me rushing for the thermals and the telescope late in the day. I was thankful for the local Whatsapp group who were quick to report that a Grey Phalarope had been seen on Rockland Broad. This tiny Wader would have come in on the northerlies over the last few days, although to grace one of the broads is a real surprise, since most stick pretty close to the coast before moving on. Indeed, my experience of the birds has usually been on a sea watch in the Autumn, waves crashing and foam flying, my eyes straining to pick them out as they fly low just above the surf. They are fantastic birds, and now one was here on the patch. I had a brief panic when I realised my scope was in my car at the garage (thankfully I do have a much older spare) but once the ho

A change is as good as a rest

Casting my mind back to February 14th, survival rather than love was in the air for the birds of the Yare Valley. Tramping across the Surlingham corner of the patch, I recorded 8 Woodcock within 2 hours. These Cryptic Waders had been forced out of hiding, and even amongst the woodland floor they were easier than usual to spot against a backdrop of snow. The small pine wood opposite the church and adjacent to the parking area held at least 2 birds, creeping around and huddled up low to the ground. A further investigation of likely habitat around Church Marsh and I was presented with 6 more, a record count for me in a single day. I hope they made it through the trial sent from the north in the form of ice and snow. A Great Egret exploring a dyke at Postwick must've been thinking twice about the whole range expansion thing. However, a small Squadron of Bewick's Swan and a single Goosander over Claxton fitted the mise en scene nicely during this period. That image and that day fee

Foulden Common- Skippers and a Hairstreak

Been meaning to get to Foulden Common for what feels like years, and it probably is that in terms of timescale! I recall being poorly last Spring, and my days put aside for a Butterfly hunt there were postponed. Before long, the mid-summer doldrums had set in and all thought of Norfolk's scarce Skipper species were put on hold until 2019. And so despite the overcast conditions and lack of some Bird Therapy, I headed out this morning. Arriving from the direction of Mundford, travelling through Foulden village and approaching an S bend, I noticed a small bowl-shaped pull in. Doubling back I parked up, walked through two gates and began searching the common land. The first 45 minutes had me cursing the lack of sun and planning my next free morning before returning to work. A pair of Common Blue and Small Copper gave some hope, and a hoarse Cuckoo and 2+ Garden Warbler were clearly harbingers of warmer fronts moving in. As the sun threatened to bust through the clouds, I pic

Notes from the valley

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